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Registration number 20061030A
This certifies that the heraldic arms of The Senate of Virginia are registered as an original design and are described by the blazon below
1979 College of Arms (England)
Senate website: http://legis.state.va.us/
About .com: http://homeschooling.about.com/library/blvasenseal.htm
The Seal for the Senate of Virginia was initiated in 1973 by Senator James D. Hagood, President pro tempore. Senator Hagood was concerned with the misuse of the great seal of the Commonwealth and wanted a seal designed for the Senate. Senator J. Harry Michael, Jr., was selected to head the project. The College of Arms in London agreed to undertake the project and designed a seal drawn from the devisal of arms (seal) of the London Company. A general description of the Senate seal follows:
On the dexter of the arms is the state bird, a cardinal with wings outspread. On the sinister side of the shield is a dragon, part of the arms of the sovereigns of England. In the shield are four quarters—the arms of France (modern), those of England, those of Scotland, and those of Ireland. To denominate the Senate as a law-making body, on the cross there is superimposed an ivory gavel. Above the shield is a helmet, otherwise referred to as a "helm", with a wreath of dogwood flowers, the state flower, supporting the female figure which represents Queen Elizabeth. There is a scroll on each side of the maiden. The ribbon at the base of the shield contains the motto of the Senate, "Floreat Senatus Virginiae", translated as "May the Senate of Virginia flourish."
The Senate seal was accepted by the Senate on January 22, 1981.
Michael Swanson